Recommendations for pre-nursing school supplies

Kvedaa · May 22, 2013

For pre-nursing you don't really need anything that any other student needs but I still have a list of what I use!

-Mechanic pencils are easiest and needed for tests-any mm is fine

-Ball point pen for taking notes

-Highlighters-I use 5 different colors and have a system like one color is for readings that correlates with lecture, another is for things the professor says more than once because that will probably be on the test, etc...

-Large eraser- because the ones for the mechanical pencils where down fast and are expensive

-Note cards-for flash cards and studying

-Page tabs-to mark certain pages in books or notes

-Colored Pencils-for microbiology and a&p

-Scientific Calculator- if you need to take math, these can be over 100 bucks so see if the math department rents them to students

-Your choice of a three ring binder w/ paper and dividers or 3-5 subject spiral notebook (this is what I use)

-I will say YOU MUST HAVE A LAPTOP OR TABLET, almost every class has info online like grades PowerPoint notes, you might even have to submit assignments online. It can be done without one but it causes a lot more stress.

-Backpack that can withstand a little wear and tear

-Sense you are commuting I would invest in a insulated lunch tote because on campus choice for food are spendy.

-Some classes you might need a ruler or carbon notebook but I would buy these unless they ask for them in the syllabus.

-A laser pointer is not necessary but some people use them for presentations

-Per each class you will need scantrons/blue or green books but those are specified by each professor and available in the bookstore for less than a dollar.

You dont need any "nursing supplies" like stethoscope/blood pressure cuff/pen light until you are accepted into a program.

I hope this helps! Good luck in your studies!

Saysfaa · May 22, 2013

Every term:

three ring binder, loose leaf paper, a few paper protectors (to put maps and the syllabi in and divide papers), a few pocket folders and/or pocket inserts for the binder. A three ring hole punch is nice but not necessary as libraries and resource rooms have them.

(I like the three ring binders that you can slide a paper in on the outside - I put essential things in there, like algebra and chemistry formulas)

side click mechanical pencils (papermate makes them, I assume other companies do also)

blue or black pen

flash drive (a largish one for an archive, and another of any size for transporting word and power point files)

for algebra/stats: graphing calculator (the school will tell you, probably TI 89 - the silver is the same except also has some games, the bigger numbers do a few more things but nothing you would need) You can probably use it for chemistry also but all that is necessary is a very simple calculator.

for algebra: graphing paper, a ruler, a simple compass (geometry type compass, not directional type)

for science labs: lab coat, googles, closed toed shoes

prisma color pencils (cost more but much higher quality)

3 by 5 cards

old business cards (for flash cards)

anatomy coloring book(s), old kinesiology books (I find them at used book stores in college towns)

academic calendar from your school

tiny stapler

three ring hole punch (nice, not necessary)

insulating lunch bag for sack lunches

computers aren't necessary for prereqs some people find them easier to take notes on but I learned how to take handwritten notes and the computer doesn't let me do the shorthand things I do or the boxes/circles/stars/arrows to show relationships between parts. And even small computers are heavy.

I agree that you do need access to a computer to write papers (including research) and possibly powerpoint presentations and sometimes to submit them electronically, and to check email or the class website often (for at least some classes) but you don't need to do that in classes.

I also like Crayola markers (thick and thin) for study at home, and ball point pens in several colors.

I bought a couple of dozen different colors of very fine point sharpie markers and use them a lot when studying.

I don't know how much you might though- I remember things better when I use lots of color.

Finally (unless I think of something else)... a small book to write user names and passwords in, and helpful websites (like ratemyprofessor, khanacademy, and purdue owl)

lauraline · May 22, 2013

I also would like to emphasize a few things the above posters mentioned.

Colored pencils are a huge help! Especially for lab. You will find yourself drawing a lot of diagrams. And you will most likely find coloring books useful. I am a visual learner and I can't live without color coding everything.

A reliable color-printer! And extra ink. I printed sooo many slides, lecture notes, diagrams, stuff from the internet, all for class. Also, all assignments are pretty much required to be printed. I went through ink cartridges like crazy. I'd say this was the best investment I have made ever since I started going back to school.

Lots of dividers. I actually like using the numbered tab dividers that come color coordinated and have a table of contents. Science classes especially, will have dozens of topics. Staying organized will benefit you in the future when you may need to refer back to material.

I also found it useful to have the 1.5-2" 3-ring binders where you can flip the front cover over to the back when needed. This was because the desks were tiny when class was in the lecture hall! We were crammed in like sardines and there's no way I could sit there with a giant binder open on a puny desk. At some point during Anatomy my binder got too big with so many papers I had to transfer them to a larger 3" binder at home, while I used the smaller one in class.

Make sure you buy "college-ruled" paper. If you shop at the big-box stores, be sure to not wait until the last minute. Especially during back to school season, they sell out so fast, and you don't want to be left with wide-ruled paper. (This happened to me at Target!)

At some point you may need a flash drive. Presentations are almost always done by PowerPoint nowadays.

If you don't already have a smart phone, get one. You will find it extremely useful for taking pictures and having access to email instantly. Many students take pictures of classroom models/figures, or of teachers' notes on the board, fast moving slides, etc. Many teachers rely on email to contact students regarding last minute details. Most schools also sends campus wide alerts directly by text or email regarding crime, emergencies, and other events.

If you are taking any lab classes you will need latex gloves. Get the cheapest kind, you will be going through them like crazy. My school provided lab coats for rent ($5?) But some students buy theirs, they can be quite expensive. You will be expected to tie your hair back (if you have long hair), and wear closed toe shoes.

As for having a laptop or tablet, I'd say this is optional. I personally learn better when I handwrite notes, so I will just print out lecture slides (if they are provided) and write in the margins. But if you work well with a laptop or tablet, then go for it. But I'd say not everyone has made that switch from paper just yet. If you have a computer at home, you will be just fine.

Good luck!

pmabraham, BSN, RN · May 22, 2013

Good day:

Thank you everyone for your thoughtful and detailed replies.

I was feeling so silly for not even knowing what pens or pencils to get; so all of you helped.

Do you have any printer recommendations? Are there any color printers that are both reliable and inexpensive?

For most of the supplies, did you find it most economical to shop at the local Walmart?

I'll have to check if the school I'm going to (it's a local community college) provides lab coats to students; if they don't where would you shop for a lab coat (I'm presuming that same store would sell goggles)?

Thank you.

Saysfaa · May 22, 2013

I don't know about printers. I have only a black and white one. The two or three times I've wanted to print something in color, I went to the computer lab at school.

No, the most economical has been Meijer's and Target's back-to-school sales (Meijer is a regional chain store in the Great Lakes states), or sometimes their clearance of back-to-school stuff but that is very hit-and-miss. Next most economical has been Office Max - if you have a store that is convenient because not everything is least expensive in the same week. Except for the Prisma Colors - they are least expensive at Michaels craft store, at their half off art supply sales that they have a couple/three/four times a year - and sharpies - they were least expensive at Sam's Club.

The best place to get lab coats is the lost and found at the end of the term, many people just leave them at the end of their last lab... my school has a special box/closet in one of the labs for this purpose - anyone working in the labs knows where which lab it is in. They are $5 there and often in very good shape. The money goes to buy extras for the lab if I remember right - or else to their coffee fund. If your school doesn't do this, you still might check the regular department or campus lost and found because sometimes they will give them away if they aren't claimed.

I don't know about googles, I had them laying around the house.

northmississippi · May 22, 2013

ipad, two or three voice recorders to keep classes separate, some snacks/v8, etc. Make sure you have microbiology out of the way before you start nursing school, its harder than anatomy class. small laptop would be handy and a portable printer out in your car or something. flash drives are a must, and be sure to label them with your name on it so when forget it and leave it in the computer, someone can get it back to you. stapler is handy to have, something to sharpen your pencils, reliable watch w/ second hand.

I like using those "for dummies" type books along with my school books. It would be good to keep a few first aid things in your back pack like a band aid and qtip in case you get something in your eye, and always always always wear your goggles in the lab,,,,one boy got something his eye and ran over to the sink to wash it out,,and the water was off for maintenance.

Kvedaa · May 22, 2013

Walmart is great! Also my university starts at the end of September which is way after the public high school so I keep an eye out for when the school supplies go on sale after they start. Dont feel silly, everyone has there own system they develop after a couple of terms. I would check goodwill for printers, a lot of times if someone buys a new computer/laptop they get a free printer with it and they will donate there other one just because. Check the return policy before buying though just in case!

MrsStudentNurse · May 22, 2013

Congrats! Here's my rundown. A single subject notebook and folder for each class. A pack of pencils, pens and highlighters. A backpacks and about 10-20 packs of 100-ct notecards. The simpler the easier for me.

Trenata · May 22, 2013

You could consider a recorder where you can record the lectures and listen during the commute.

lauraline · May 23, 2013

The printer I have was a $250 Canon, but it's color and an All-in-one style with scanning, copying and faxing too. You could get away with something much less expensive. But I love my printer! It has been useful in so many ways.

Having color is great, I don't know what I would do without it. I really think color is a must! I had to do so many reports with graphs and pictures. My anatomy class slides were live pictures, not drawings, so the color on the images was a must for me when I printed them out. But I guuuuess you could print thinks out in black and white and color the pictures yourself if needed, haha.

Your school's bookstore must sell lab coats. If not, try the lost and found--this is a great idea! My school sold them brand new for like $50-75, so I just rented one for the semester for $5 from the school's lab supply room.

BuckyBadgerRN, ASN, RN · Jun 5, 2013

I'm the nerd who LOVED setting myself up with school supplies each semester--and since I did p/t nights/weekends, it was a LOT of semesters =).

Every subject had a notebook/matching folder assigned to it--I learn best by actually writing my notes out, it was rare to have any pages left in mine by the last day!

I had a pencil pouch with just colored pencils in it and then two more (one for home, one for in my backpack) that contained: LOTS of mechanical pencils and extra "lead", Pink Pearl erasers, highlighters, a pair of scissors, mini ruler, white out tape, baby stapler, a few binder clips, a few pens, LOTS of neon flag for marking important pages in my texts, and my ever present lip balm and Ibuprofen!!

My bag for clinical was always stocked with plenty of pens, a few pencils, some binder clips/paper clips, more flags, a couple of highlighters, and some 3x5 notecards.

A calculator is a must, mine was always being moved from bag to bag.

As others have mentioned, an insulated lunch bag and a nice water bottle.

A flashdrive or two.

A can coozie for the rare times I'd buy a soda from vendo---I always knew which was mine!

And I always, always, always kept a few snacks, a couple of dollars in change and several tampons in my bag---you'll end up being someones hero, trust me =)